Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area in which the local businesses have voted to invest together to improve their environment.
BIDs provide additional or improved services, identified by the local businesses. This could include extra safety, cleaning or environmental measures.
BIDs are business-led organisations. They’re funded by a mandatory levy on all eligible businesses after a successful BID ballot.
BIDs in London
There are currently over 70 London BIDs with new ones being developed every year. The interactive map below details the different BIDs across London. Alternatively, find a full list of UK BIDs, including those in London, here.
How the GLA works with BIDs
The Mayor and GLA are supportive of BIDs and engage and collaborate in different ways.
BIDs are collaborative, partnering with the GLA other BID networks to address a range of shared priorities, such as:
- skills gaps
- the climate crisis
- supporting high streets
- the return of visitors to our city
- lobbying activity on key business challenges.
Many BIDs take a keen interest in cleaning and greening public spaces to make them more attractive both for visitors and residents.
London BIDs contribute hugely to London’s economic success. They play a crucial role working with boroughs and stakeholders to bring in new investment - ensuring that our capital remains an attractive place to visit, work and invest.
The growth in London BIDs demonstrates the important role BIDs play in London’s economic success. From the new Culture Mile BID and Edgware BID, to High Street BIDs and Industrial BIDs, the diversity in size, locations and focus all help support London’s business community.
The benefits of BIDs
The business benefits of BIDs include:
- BID levy money is ring-fenced for use only in the BID area
- businesses decide and direct what they want for the area
- business cost reduction, for example, from reduced crime and joint procurement
- mediating with local councils, Transport for London, the police and other public bodies
- increased footfall and staff retention
- place promotion
- networking opportunities with neighbouring businesses.
Guidance for BIDs
There are a range of documents that BIDs and Local Authorities can access and use free of charge.
These documents aim to provide support and guidance in the development and management of BIDs:
- a step by step handbook on how to set up BIDs
- an operating agreement with Local Authority
- the complementary service agreement
- the baseline agreement
- BIDs articles of association.
All these documents are suggested templates and should not preclude you from seeking your own legal advice.
Further information and guidance on Business Improvement Districts can be found at BID Gov.uk webpage.
The following organisations offer advice on the operation and implementation of Business Improvement Districts:
Other organisations and industry bodies representing BIDs in London include Cross River Partnership and BusinessLDN.
Examples of GLA's engagement with BIDS
BIDs play a vital role in maintaining London’s attractiveness as place to work, visit and invest. They have been critical in supporting and rebuilding the city, to help London thrive in a changing world.
Through engaging with other BIDs, the GLA and London & Partners, they have helped support recovery campaigns and continue to advocate alongside the Mayor for vital business support.
Below are a few examples of the GLA’s work and engagement with BIDs:
Industry partners including BIDs have been instrumental in the success of London & Partners recovery campaign, Let’s Do London. Coming together to support the Let’s Do London campaign from the beginning, BIDs helped this to be the biggest domestic and international tourism campaign the capital has ever seen.
The Mayor wrote to the Chancellor alongside key businesses and business groups to urge the Government to reintroduce VAT-free shopping for international visitors as soon as possible. This would remove a major competitive disadvantage for London and the UK and immediately help to make the capital even more appealing to tourists.
This service is a collaborative data sharing partnership between the Mayor of London, London boroughs, and Business Improvement Districts.
This action plan aims to set out how we will support the recovery and evolution of the CAZ post pandemic. It has been shaped by engagement with businesses and business groups, including the Business Improvement Districts in the CAZ. The action plan sets out our collective vision for London’s Central Activities Zone.
The Mayor's Good Work Standard (GWS) aims to improve working lives for Londoners by bringing together best employment practice and links to resources and support from across London to help employers improve their organisations. Over 145 organisations have been recognised by the Mayor as Good Work Standard employers including Better Bankside and Love Wimbledon BIDs.
The Business Climate Challenge (BCC) is an energy efficiency programme supporting businesses to reduce their energy consumption, to accelerate building decarbonisation efforts in London. The BCC partnered with nine BIDs and Climate Change Alliances to engage and support cohorts of businesses in the programme.
Most recently held in September 2023, BusinessLDN London BIDs Summit brings together London's BIDs, business leaders, Greater London Authority, borough leaders and other key stakeholders. It explores how each can collaboratively support London’s continued growth, while discussing what more is needed to create a capital that is both a resilient and attractive place to be.
The Deputy Mayor for Business participation in the Business London BIDs Summit 2023, held at BT’s London HQ.
Further resources
Below you can find a number of links that might be relevant for those wanting to learn more about BIDS:
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